16-Sep-2024 – Death is just a way
1 Thessalonians 4:13 (KJV):
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”
In this chapter, we encounter the subject of death in this world. Generally, death signifies the end of one’s life and legacy. No matter how great a person may have been, once they die, they can no longer influence things on this earth. Many people fear death because it represents the loss of everything: relationships, possessions, and wealth—all of it is gone at once.
However, there is a difference for those who accept the gospel of Jesus Christ and live their lives following His teachings by faith. They will be resurrected to live again—not in this world, but in heaven, in the presence of God. This means they will regain relationships, possessions, and riches—not here on earth, but in the eternal kingdom of God.
Death is the means by which God transitions us into His kingdom, a consequence of Adam’s sin. We all know that death came to humankind through the original sin in the Garden of Eden. Through sin, we entered into death, but through faith in Jesus Christ, we exit death. At the exit gate, the “security pass” is nothing but the blood of Jesus Christ. Only those who have this security pass will be able to cross.
As we live on this earth, it is important to remember that we are strangers here. When the Lord calls, we must be ready to go without delay. From an earthly perspective, death can be sorrowful, especially when we consider the impact on those who depend on us.
For example, if I, as the man of the family, have to go away for a short time to a distant land for work, what would I do? I would plan to ensure that things continue as normal at home. In business, this is known as BAU (Business As Usual). For BAU to occur, we must also plan for disaster recovery. What happens if something goes wrong? How will we resume normalcy?
This level of preparation can only happen when we realize that our journey on this earth is temporary and that our departure is uncertain. Therefore, it is crucial to teach our family about the Lord and prepare them for His second coming. Otherwise, we risk losing them in a different way. When we truly understand this, there will be no room for jealousy, pride, or boasting. Instead, we will be filled with love and hope—love for others and hope in the Lord, trusting that we will be with Him forever.
From another perspective, death can symbolize a sudden halt to something progressing, where nothing else seems possible. This is why we refer to a “dead end,” where there appears to be no way forward. But for those who sleep in the Lord—those who reach the end while following God’s word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit—there is resurrection.
To put it another way, if you begin something in accordance with God’s will and it reaches a dead end, there is still hope for revival and resurrection, to glorify God in your life. Whether it be the physical death or the metaphorical death of something in progress, as believers in Jesus Christ, we always have hope for revival and resurrection.
Prayer:
Dear loving Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and grace. Thank You for teaching me today about death. Though death is often feared, You have shown me today that it is simply a way You have appointed for us to cross, by faith in Jesus Christ. And metaphorically, if something in my life, which began according to Your will, reaches a dead end, You will revive it. Help me to realize this truth and remain hopeful. I pray in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen!
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